r I told you of, the one whose hand is not clear
in this affair. And he is here!"

"Good!" Westcott exclaimed. "I'm glad they're both here. It means that
there will be more to observe, and it means that there will be
action--and that, too, quick! They are out here for a definite purpose
which must soon be disclosed. And, Miss Donovan, I may be a little
rock-worn and a little bit out of style, but I think their presence here
has something to do with the whereabouts of Fred Cavendish."

The girl looked straight into his honest, clear eyes. His remark opened
a vast field for speculation. "You think he is alive then?" she said
earnestly. "It is an interesting hypothesis. Perhaps--perhaps he may be
in this neighbourhood, even. And that," she added, her Irish eyes
alight, "would be more interesting still."

"I hadn't finished my argument when that carriage appeared," Westcott
answered. "Do you remember? Well, that might be the answer. Beaton has
been in this neighbourhood ever since about the time of that murder in
New York. Nobody knows what his business is, but he is hand-in-glove
with Bill Lacy and his gang. Lacy, besides running a saloon, pretends to
be a mining speculator, but it is my opinion there is nothing he wouldn't
do for money, if he considered the game safe. And now, with everything
quiet in the East, and no thought that there is any suspicion remaining,
Beaton sends for the woman to join him here. Why? Because there is some
job to be done too big for him to tackle alone. He's merely a gunman; he
can do the strong-arm stuff, all right, but lacks brains. There is a
problem out here requiring a little intellect; and it is my guess it is
how to dispose of Cavendish until they can get away safely with the swag."

"Exactly! That would be a stake worth playing for."

"It certainly would; and, as I figure it out, that is their game. John
Cavendish is merely the catspaw. Right now there is nothing for them to
do but wait until the boy gets full possession of the property; then
they'll put the screws on him good and proper. Meantime Frederick must
be kept out of sight--must remain dead."

"I wonder how this was ever planned out--if it be true?"

"It must have originated in some cunning, criminal brain," he admitted
thoughtfully. "Not Beaton's, surely; and, while she is probably much
brighter, I am inclined to think the girl is merely acting under orders.
There is somebody connected with thi